International Surgery Journal Chattopadhyay P et al. Int Surg J. 2018 Feb;5(2):433-438 http://www.ijsurgery.com pISSN 2349-3305 | eISSN 2349-2902 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18203/2349-2902.isj20180015 Original Research Article Outcome of Ilizarov assisted ankle arthrodesis Priyajit Chattopadhyay, Paras K. Banka*, Anindya Debnath, Sanjay Kumar Department of Orthopaedics, Medical College and Hospitals, Kolkata, West Bengal, India Received: 21 December 2017 Accepted: 27 December 2017 *Correspondence: Dr. Paras K. Banka, E-mail: [email protected] Copyright: © the author(s), publisher and licensee Medip Academy. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License, which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. ABSTRACT Background: Among the various techniques used for ankle arthrodesis, Ilizarov technique has various advantages along with the potential for treating complex and failed cases. Methods: Eleven cases were undertaken for ankle arthrodesis using the Ilizarov fixator. Two rings were applied along the tibia and one at the talus/calcaneum. The articular cartilage was denuded, and dynamic compression applied. The clinical, functional and radiological outcome were evaluated. The goal was a stable fusion with a well aligned foot. Results: The mean follow-up period was 95 weeks. Fusion was achieved in all cases with no major complication. Only one case had a residual deformity. The average time interval for the ankle fusion was 140.8±25.7 days. The postoperative modified American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Hindfoot score was 67.5±9.6 points. Conclusions: Ilizarov assisted ankle arthrodesis aids in early weight bearing, better alignment, and has good functional outcomes even in cases with previously failed procedures. It has the advantage of postoperative readjustment of the arthrodesis without the need of any second procedure with no major complications. Keywords: AOFAS, Ankle, Arthrodesis, Ilizarov, Ring fixator INTRODUCTION of the ring fixator in ankle arthrodesis are not well defined.3 Role of ankle arthrodesis as a salvage procedure for chronic ankle arthritis or instability is well known. It With this background, we wanted to study the role of provides a pain-free and stable ankle joint. Numerous Ilizarov techniques in cases requiring ankle arthrodesis in techniques are followed worldwide to achieve an ankle our institute. fusion, each one with its advantages and disadvantages.1 METHODS The Ilizarov method has found numerous applications in the field of orthopaedics since its inception and can be Patients who underwent ankle arthrodesis in our institute said as one of the greatest contributions to treating bone from August 2013 to August 2016 for different pathologies.2 The Ilizarov technique has well established indications using the Ilizarov apparatus were undertaken itself in the treatment of difficult non-unions. It has also for the study. Our primary aim was to achieve a stable been widely applied in the management of many others fusion and optimal ankle alignment. difficult diseases. The Ilizarov fixator is useful for ankle arthrodesis in cases with infection, bone defects, poor Inclusion criteria bone quality and in cases with a need for early weight bearing.1 However, factors affecting the success or failure Patients requiring ankle arthrodesis due to long-standing arthritis of the ankle joint, due to chronic instability, as a International Surgery Journal | February 2018 | Vol 5 | Issue 2 Page 433 Chattopadhyay P et al. Int Surg J. 2018 Feb;5(2):433-438 salvage procedure for neglected malunited distal tibial position and the rings were interconnected to produce a articular fractures, and other valid indications were stable rigid fixator construct (Figure 2). Compression was included in this study.4 applied between the 2nd ring and the trans-talar/trans- calcaneal rings so that the raw bone surfaces were Exclusion criteria approximated. The wound was closed with interrupted skin sutures and dressings were applied at the wound Patients unwilling to undergo the procedure, unfit to sites. undergo surgery, with poor compliance, with concomitant significant ipsilateral foot injuries, and with impaired limb vascularity and innervation were excluded. Pre-operative evaluation Patients were counselled that the goal of this surgery is to achieve a painless and stable foot through ankle fusion and after taking informed consent they were enrolled in the study. Complete history taking, and thorough clinical evaluation was done in each case to judge the severity of the disease. The patients were evaluated radiologically with x rays of the involved ankle in two orthogonal views (Figure 1). Parameters such as ankle deformity, weight- bearing status, the presence of infection, the status of soft tissue and limb shortening were taken into consideration. Figure 2: Post-operative clinical photograph and X- Necessary pre-operative blood investigations, chest ray showing the Ilizarov construct. radiograph, ECG and other relevant investigations required for anaesthetic fitness were also done. Planning Post-operative period and follow-up: Institutional about the size of fixator and position of rings was done. protocol for antibiotics and analgesics were followed. Postoperatively, the limb was kept elevated and active movements of the knee and toes were encouraged. The patients were allowed to bear weight with crutch support from 2nd day postoperatively which was gradually increased as tolerated by the patient. Figure 1: Pre-operative clinical photograph and X-ray. Surgical technique After administration of anaesthesia, the patient was positioned supine with a sandbag under the ipsilateral Figure 3: Clinical photograph after removal of fixator buttock. No tourniquet was used. The Ilizarov rings were showing well-aligned foot. applied in the distal third of tibia, mid shaft of tibia and a third ring applied at the talus level with 2-3 cross wires Patients were trained about the pin site care. Compression each through safe neurovascular corridors. A trans was applied across the joint at the rate of 1mm per day calcaneal half ring and plate construct was used for tibio- for next 10 days and patients were discharged after calcaneal arthrodesis. An additional drop wire was passed removal of sutures. The initial follow-up was done at 2 through the metatarsals and secured with the frame to weeks post discharge and then they were examined at 2 maintain the plantigrade position. The image intensifier weekly intervals till there was radiological evidence of was used for confirming the position of rings. Through a bridging trabeculae across the joint. On the appearance of small incision the articular surface was denuded of the bridging trabeculae in three out of four cortices, the cartilage covering. The foot was held in the desired fixator was removed, and the patient was allowed a International Surgery Journal | February 2018 | Vol 5 | Issue 2 Page 434 Chattopadhyay P et al. Int Surg J. 2018 Feb;5(2):433-438 walking cast. The cast was removed after 3-4 weeks duration. (Table 1) The average age of the study (Figure 3, Figure 4). population was 48.9±7.5years. The primary indication was pain in 10 cases and instability in one case. Seven cases were due to post-traumatic malunion, one case each due to a comminuted talus fracture, chronic secondary arthritis and a failed ankle arthrodesis with active infection and an intramedullary nail in situ (Figure 5). Pre-existing deformities were present in 8 cases. Five of the eleven cases were unable to bear weight pre- operatively. The median preoperative interval was 180 days (range 7 days- 6 years). Figure 4: X-ray after removal of fixator showing fused Tibio-talar joint. During follow-up, clinical evaluation of the limb was done focusing on pain, deformity, infection, and shortening. Any specific complaints of the patient such as pain, discharge at pin site, tingling or numbness of the foot, etc. were adequately addressed. Modified American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Hindfoot Figure 5: Failed ankle arthrodesis with active 5 Score was used for evaluation of the functional outcome. infection and an intramedullary nail in situ. RESULTS All the cases underwent tibio-talar fusion and one case was undertaken for tibio-calcaneal fusion (Figure 6). The A Total of 11 patients (8 males, 3 females) were average time interval for the ankle fusion was 140.8±25.7 undertaken in the study with mean follow-up of 95 weeks days (Table 2). Table 1: Details of the patients undertaken in the study. Pre-op Patient Age Pre-op Pre-op Pre-op weight Sex Indication interval name (years) infection deformity bearing status (days) MA 49 M Malunited bimalleolar fracture - + + 270 MS 48 M Infected failed arthrodesis + + - 360 SK 53 F Comminuted Talus fracture - - - 7 TP 55 M Neglected Plafond fracture - + - 45 KK 60 M Fracture dislocation of ankle - + - 77 HK 48 M Malunited fracture ankle - + + 180 LB 50 M Comminuted Plafond fracture - + - 31 MB 34 F Fracture dislocation of ankle - + + 54 SS 38 M Chronic Instability - - + 430 SQ 48 F Malunited fracture dislocation - + + 221 SM 55 M Secondary arthritis - - + 2380 There was no residual infection in any case. The average The foot was well-aligned in 10 cases. One case had a residual shortening after removal of fixator was 2.6cm. residual valgus deformity. Four cases had pin site The patients resume complete weight bearing at an infections which responded well to aggressive pin site average of 164 days. The mean duration to return to their care and oral antibiotics with no long-term sequelae. No activities was found to be 186 days. The postoperative major complications were encountered during the follow modified AOFAS Hindfoot score was 67.5±9.6 points. up period. International Surgery Journal | February 2018 | Vol 5 | Issue 2 Page 435 Chattopadhyay P et al. Int Surg J. 2018 Feb;5(2):433-438 Table 2: Results of the patients undertaken in the study.